Apparatuses and methods for regeneration of aromatherapy textile products

ABSTRACT

Apparatuses and methods for regeneration of aromatherapy textile products are disclosed. According to an aspect, an apparatus includes an outer bag defining an interior and comprising a mouth that opens to the interior. Further, the apparatus includes an inner bag positioned within the interior of the outer bag and comprising a mouth that is attached to the mouth of the outer bag, the inner bag being infusible with an extract. Prior to use, the inner bag may be infused with one or more herbal extracts and a textile product may be placed in the interior of the inner bag. Subsequently, the mouth of the outer bag may be sealed or otherwise closed. Further, the apparatus with the textile product inside may be heated by tumbling in a hot dryer.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 61/942,169, filed Feb. 20, 2014 and titledAPPARATUSES AND METHODS FOR REGENERATION OF AROMATHERAPY TEXTILEPRODUCTS, the content of which is incorporated by reference herein inits entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present subject matter relates to textile product care andmaintenance. More particularly, the present subject matter relates toapparatuses and methods for regeneration of aromatherapy textileproducts.

2. Description of Related Art

Aromatherapy textile products have been developed that emit pleasantscents. Such textile products may be infused with various extracts andemit the scents of the extracts over time. However, as aromatherapytextile products are worn and washed, they can lose their ability toemit scents. Accordingly, there is a desire to provide techniques forthe regeneration of aromatherapy textile products.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Disclosed herein are apparatuses and methods for regeneration ofaromatherapy textile products. According to an aspect, an apparatusincludes an outer bag defining an interior and comprising a mouth thatopens to the interior. Further, the apparatus includes an inner bagpositioned within the interior of the outer bag and comprising a mouththat is attached to the mouth of the outer bag, the inner bag beinginfusible with an extract. Prior to use, the inner bag may be infusedwith an herbal extract and a textile product may be placed in theinterior of the inner bag. Subsequently, the mouth of the outer bag maybe sealed or otherwise closed. Further, the apparatus with the textileproduct inside may be heated and tumbled in a dryer for furtherinfusion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of an apparatus for regenerationof aromatherapy textile products in accordance with embodiments of thepresent subject matter;

FIGS. 2A-2C are front views of another example apparatus forregeneration of aromatherapy textile products in accordance withembodiments of the present subject matter;

FIG. 2D is a front view showing an inner bag being pulled out of anouter bag for infusion in accordance with embodiments of the presentsubject matter;

FIG. 2E is a perspective view showing nonwoven material that may be usedto make an inner bag in accordance with embodiments of the presentsubject matter;

FIGS. 3A-3C are different perspective views of an example inner bag inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIGS. 4A-4D are different views of example textile products along withapparatuses for regeneration of them in accordance with embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of an apparatus forregeneration of aromatherapy textile products in accordance withembodiments of the present subject matter. Referring to FIG. 1, theapparatus includes an outer bag 100 defining an interior 102 andcomprising a mouth 104 that opens to the interior 102. Further, theapparatus includes an inner bag 106 positioned within the interior 102of the outer bag 100 and having a mouth 108 that is attached to themouth 104 of the outer bag 100. The mouths 104 and 108 may form a seal.The inner bag 106 may be of a material that is suitable to be infusedwith an extract, such as an herbal extract, as will be understood bythose of skill in the art.

One side of the outer bag 100 may be made of any suitable type of opaquematerial such that print material (e.g., a label) may be attached to it.For example, one side of the outer bag may be made of biaxially-orientedpolyethylene terephthalate (BoPET) material (also, referred to asMYLAR®). The other or opposing side of the outer bag may be made of aclear plastic or other suitable transparent or semi-transparent materialsuch that the contents may be viewed from the outside. The two sides maybe suitably attached together for forming the interior 102 therebetween. A surface of the outer bag 100 that faces outward may bereflective.

The inner bag 106 may be made of a polyester material or any othersuitable type of material. For example, the inner bag may be made ofpolyvinyl alcohol (PVA). Further, for example, the inner bag 106 may bea perforated nonwoven material. The inner bag 106 may be infused with anherbal extract or any other suitable type of extract.

In accordance with embodiments, one or more herbs of the same ordifferent type may be positioned within the interior 102 of the outerbag 100 and outside of the inner bag 106. The herbs 110 may serve fordecorative purposes. Further, the herbs 110 may serve to identify thetype of extract in the textile product, serving a visual recognitionpurpose for a consumer.

In accordance with embodiments, the mouths 104 and 108 of the outer bag100 and the inner bag 106, respectively, may be sealed together.Further, for example, the mouth 104 of the outer bag 100 may besealably-attached for sealing the interior 102 of the outer bag 100 froman outside of the outer bag 100. For example, the mouth 104 of the outerbag 100 may include components 112A and 112B of a reusable, re-sealablezipper for sealing and closing the mouth 104. For example, thecomponents 112A and 112B may be the components of a ZIPLOC® brand typeof reusable, re-sealable zipper or another type of sealing mechanism forsealing and closing the mouth 104 of the outer bag 100.

In accordance with embodiments, the apparatus may be used forregeneration of an aromatherapy textile product. For example, theapparatus shown in FIG. 1 may be used and provided. A textile product114 may be placed in the interior of the inner bag 106. Subsequently,the mouth or opening 104 of the outer bag 100 may be sealed.Subsequently, the apparatus and the textile product may be heated bytumbling in a dryer to facilitate regeneration of the textile product.

According to embodiments, the inner bag 106 may be pulled out of theouter bag 100 and infused with the herbal extract prior to adryer/heating cycle.

Example textile products include, but are not limited to, sleepwear,undershirts, lingerie, headbands, scarves, socks, handkerchiefs, and thelike. The textile product 114 may be pre-treated with the herbalinfusion and placed inside the inner bag 106. The textile product may beplaced inside the inner bag 106 after each wash for herbal treatment ina suitable dryer. Typical home drying can transfer oil from the innerbag 106 for infusion of the textile product 114. The dryer may provideheat and agitation. Herbal infusion replenishment spritzers may be usedfor replenishing the inner bag 106.

A textile product may be recharged or regenerated many times. Thetextile product can stay fully infused while stored in the inner bag106.

In an alternative embodiment, the outer bag 100 and inner bag 106 arenot attached. In this embodiment the inner bag 106 may be completelyremoved from the interior of the outer bag 100. Further, any herbsbetween the two bags may be removed and replaced with other herbs.Further, an organza bag having a drawstring closure may be provided sothat users can utilize it as a drawn freshener and the like.

FIGS. 2A-2C are front views of another example apparatus forregeneration of aromatherapy textile products in accordance withembodiments of the present subject matter. Particularly, FIG. 2A shows abackside portion 200 of the outer bag 100 of the apparatus. The backsideportion 200 is made of BoPET material in this example. Further, thebackside portion 200 has a label with instructions on it. FIG. 2B showsa front side portion 202 of the outer bag of the apparatus. The frontside portion 202 is made of a clear plastic. The inner bag 106 isvisible through the front side portion 202. Further, an herb 110 isvisible and positioned between the inner bag 106 and the outer bag 100.FIG. 2C shows another view of the front side portion 202 of the outerbag 100 of the apparatus along with the herb 110. FIG. 2D is a frontview showing the inner bag 106 pulled out of the outer bag 100 forinfusion. FIG. 2E is a perspective view showing an example of nonwovenmaterial 204 that may be used to make the inner bag.

FIGS. 3A-3C are different perspective views of an example inner bag 106in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The inner bag106 in this example is pyramidal in shape.

Table 1 below shows a listing of herbs that may be utilized in theexamples described herein.

TABLE 1 Herbs Effectiveness Product Chamomile Anxiety, gastrointestinalPillowcase Echinacea Colds Handkerchiefs, neckwear Lavender Antiseptic,mental health Headscarf, neckwear Jasmine Stress relief, hormonal issuesT-shirt Peppermint Nausea, indigestion, common T-shirt, neckwear coldTea tree Antibacterial, antifungal Hosiery, socks ClovesGastrointestinal, expectorant Shawl, t-shirt Neem Rheumatism, skininfection T-shirt Arnica Anti-inflammatory Hosiery, gloves, onesiesEucalyptus or menthol Counterirritant Lemon/Lime (or any other Varietycitrus products including fruit and/or leaves) Suitable flowers (e.g.,rose) Skin therapeutic

FIGS. 4A-4D illustrate different views of example textile products 114along with apparatuses for regeneration of them in accordance withembodiments of the present disclosure.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the subjectmatter. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” areintended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms“comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification,specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations,elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence oraddition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations,elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. Thedescription of the present subject matter has been presented forpurposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to beexhaustive or limited to the present subject matter in the formdisclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to thoseof ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spiritof the present subject matter. The embodiment was chosen and describedin order to best explain the principles of the present subject matterand the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill inthe art to understand the present subject matter for various embodimentswith various modifications as are suited to the particular usecontemplated.

The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present subjectmatter have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are notintended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Manymodifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the describedembodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain theprinciples of the embodiments, the practical application or technicalimprovement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodimentsdisclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. Apparatus for regeneration of aromatherapytextile products, the apparatus comprising: an outer bag defining aninterior and comprising a mouth that opens to the interior; and an innerbag positioned within the interior of the outer bag and being infusiblewith an extract.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein one side of theouter bag comprises opaque material.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the outer bag includes a first portion made of clear materialand a second portion made of opaque material.
 4. The apparatus of claim1, wherein the inner bag comprises a polyester material.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the inner bag comprises a perforatednonwoven material.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inner bag isinfused with an herbal extract.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising one or more herbs positioned within the interior of the outerbag and outside of the inner bag.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe mouths of the inner bag and the outer bag are sealed together. 9.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mouth of the outer bag is sealablefor sealing the interior of the outer bag from an outside of the outerbag.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mouth of the inner bag isattached to the mouth of the outer bag.
 11. A method for regeneration ofan aromatherapy textile product, the method comprising: an outer bagdefining an interior and comprising a mouth that opens to the interior;and an inner bag positioned within the interior of the outer bag andbeing infused with an extract; and placing a textile product in aninterior of the inner bag.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the outerbag comprises plastic.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the outer bagcomprises plastic.
 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the outer bagincludes a first portion made of clear material and a second portionmade of opaque material.
 15. The method of claim 11, wherein the innerbag is infused with an herbal extract.
 16. The method of claim 11,further comprising one or more herbs positioned within the interior ofthe outer bag and outside of the inner bag.
 17. The method of claim 11,wherein the mouths of the inner bag and the outer bag are sealedtogether.
 18. The method of claim 11, further comprising sealing theopening of the outer bag.
 19. The method of claim 18, further comprisingheating the apparatus and the textile product.
 20. The method of claim11, wherein the mouth of the inner bag is attached to the mouth of theouter bag.